POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH SCHOLAR

Updated: about 7 hours ago
Location: Iowa City, IOWA
Job Type: FullTime

POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH SCHOLAR
Requisition # 4557
Position Basics
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Advertising Started on:Wednesday, March 18th, 2026
College:College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Department:Physics & Astronomy

Salary
Salary:$62,232.00 to Commensurate

Position Details
Full/Part Time Status:Full Time
Percent Time:100%
Position Description:

The Swarm Research Group welcomes applications for a postdoctoral research scholar position. The successful candidate will join a research collaboration developing thin-film reflective coatings to enable gamma ray focusing optics for astrophysical instrumentation.This position is for one year with the potential for extension for an additional year and would have an approximate start date of August 1, 2026.


The responsibilities of this postdoctoral researcher may include: evaluating and precicting focusing optics performance via software simulations, assisting in construction of reflectometry equipment, integrating and calibrating gamma ray detectors, designing reflectivity testing procedures using the laboratory reflectometer and externa synchroton facilities, mentoring junior graduate students and/or undergraduate students, and disseminating research results via publications and/or conference presentations.


Interested scholars should apply online through the Jobs@UIOWA website. Required application materials include a CV and letter of interest and the names and contact information for two professional references.


Work authorization sponsorship in J-1 status is available for this position.

Education Requirement:

  • PhD in physics, astrophysics, astronomy, or a related discipline with the degree conferred by the start date.

Required Qualifications:

  • Experience working in a hardware laboratory setting.

  • Experience designing, constructing, or testing x-ray or gamma ray astronomical instrumentation.

  • Ability to clearly communicate research as demonstrated by publications, conference proceedings, and/or oral presentations.

Desirable Qualifications:

  • Experience in optics metrology and/or thin-film characterization techniques, especially reflectivity testing.

  • Experience in gamma ray detector integration, characterization, or testing.

  • Experience mentoring student researchers.


Online Application Required Documents
 Curriculum Vita
Name and Contact Information of References
Letters of Interest
 Number of References:  2

To start the Online Application process for this position, click the "Apply for This Position" button located below the Contact Information.


Contact Information
Contact:Dustin Swarm - dustin-swarm@uiowa.edu
Clas-Physics & Astronomy
Van Allen Hall
30 North Dubuque Street
VAN
Iowa City, IA 52242-1479
Department URL: https://physics.uiowa.edu/people/dustin-swarm